New From SIG SAUER: P320 in .45 Compact and 9mm Subcompact

SIG’s expanding their modular, striker-fired P320 platform, adding a couple of compact, packable variants. First, they’re rounding out the 9mm side with a 12+1 subcompact model (above). They’re also going bigger in a small way by adding a .45 compact model, giving you an easy way to tote 9+1 big boy rounds. Press release after the jump . . .

NEWINGTON, N.H. (January 12, 2015) — SIG SAUER, Inc., redefined the polymer-framed, striker-fired handgun with last year’s introduction of the modular P320®. This year, SIG SAUER® continues to expand on that modularity with the introduction of .45-caliber variants, subcompact models, and two new finish options.

“With the modular design of the P320, there is no end to the variation of models,” said Jeff Creamer, “So, for 2015 we’ve added to the large end, with the addition of models chambered in .45Auto. We’ve also added to the small end, with new subcompact offerings.”

The P320 Compact in .45Auto utilizes the same modular fire control group as the rest of the P320 family. With user-selectable grip module sizes, P320 owners can set up their P320 pistols to have the same grip diameter and trigger pull, significantly reducing training time.

The P320 Subcompact places the same fire control module as the Fullsize, Carry, or Compact into a small, easy-to-carry package. Measuring just 6.67″ long and 1.06″ wide, the Subcompact frame holds 12 rounds of 9mm. It will also accept (15 round) and Fullsize (17 round) magazines. Weighing in at 24.9 ounces with a magazine, the P320 Subcompact is a perfect deep cover or backup option.

As with all P320 pistols, the Subcompact features a modular, one-piece stainless steel frame which is the serialized part. By simply removing the takedown pin, the fire-control module can be converted to accept different size grip modules. In addition, changing the length of barrel and caliber is as easy as field-stripping the gun. The P320 is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG and .45Auto.

Featuring one of the best out-of-the-box striker triggers on the market, the P320 trigger delivers a crisp, clear break measuring in at 5.5-6.5 lbs, and has a short, tactile reset. SIGLITE® night sights come standard on most models.

For those wanting to add a little color to their pistol, the P320 Flat Dark Earth (FDE) and Two-Tone FDE offer a break from the standard black polymer pistol. The FDE is completely finished in a PVD flat dark earth finish, with a matching polymer grip module.

The Two-Tone FDE offers the flat dark earth frame, with a Nitron® top end. As with all P320 models, slide assemblies and grip modules can be mixed and matched around the same fire-control module, allowing the shooter flexibility, without having to adapt to a different trigger pull.

SIG SAUER, Inc. is a New Hampshire-based weapons systems provider leading the industry in American innovation, ingenuity, and manufacturing. SIG SAUER® brings a dedication to superior quality, ultimate reliability, and unmatched performance that has made it the brand of choice among responsible citizens, and many of the world’s most elite military, government, and law enforcement units. As a complete systems provider, SIG SAUER offers a full array of products to meet any mission parameter, from handguns and rifles to silencers, optics, ammunition, accessories, and airguns. The largest member of a worldwide business group of firearms manufacturers that includes SIG SAUER GmbH & Co. KG in Germany and Swiss Arms AG in Switzerland, SIG SAUER is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company with more than 700 employees. For more information on SIG SAUER, any of its products, or the SIG SAUER AcademySM, log on to www.sigsauer.com.

P320® Compact

Caliber

.45Auto

Action Type

Double-Action Striker

Trigger Pull

5.5-6.5 lbs

Overall Height

5.5″

Overall Length

8.0″

Overall Width

1.06″

Barrel Length

3.9″

Sight Radius

5.8″

Weight w/Mag

26 oz

Mag Capacity

9 Rounds

Sights

SIGLITE® Night Sights

Grip Modules

Polymer

Frame

One-piece Stainless Steel

Slide Finish

Nitron®

Accessory Rail

Yes

Options

User-changeable grip modules

MSRP

$713

P320® Subcompact

Caliber

9mm

Action Type

Double-Action Striker

Trigger Pull

5.5-6.5 lbs

Overall Height

4.67″

Overall Length

6.67″

Overall Width

1.06″

Barrel Length

3.55″

Sight Radius

5.45″

Weight w/Mag

24.9 oz

Mag Capacity

12 Rounds

Sights

SIGLITE® Night Sights

Grip Modules

Polymer

Frame

One-piece Stainless Steel

Slide Finish

Nitron®

Accessory Rail

Yes

Options

User-changeable grip modules

MSRP

$713

Weights and dimensions are approximate. Specifications subject to change without notice.

Yes, it will accept the larger magazines for the full size .45. Sadly, the full size magazines are currently only a 10 round capacity because it uses the same frames that accommodate the smaller calibers. Contrast that with Glock that has an entirely different frame width for the .45.

Agree 100%….it’s what makes the Sigs in general so nice to shoot and handle despite the high bore axis. The ergonomics are so good that you feel in total control rather than having what feels like a house sitting there above the grip. Very noticeable on models like the P226 and 220, it doesn’t feel so ‘tall’ when handling it…and the grip angle is spot-on for most especially those who find a Glock to point naturally high even though its bore axis is low. Recoil/flip pretty much becomes inconsequential. If anything, you start to appreciate that the sights come into your eyeline ‘sooner’ with that taller slide.

I used to feel the same way about bore axis unit I started shooting and owning a Sig. They end up feeling ‘smaller’ than they look. Granted, that may change a bit with a polymer frame and a bit more top-heavy feel (as opposed to the alum-frame 22X’s), but I’m definitely looking forward to trying the compact in .45.

Assuming that they haven’t messed with the trigger too much, it will. Every 320 I’ve held has had an amazing trigger. I’m not talking amazing for a glock, I’m talking amazing period. Short of some super custom 2,000+ race gun, you are going to be hard pressed to find a pistol with a better DA trigger.

Adding to this the ability to change calibers, grip size, overall length and even color; this may wind up being one of the better selling pistols of all time before it’s over.

I’m a fanboy. Not a Sig fanboy, a Beretta fan. I’ve carried a 96 centurion for a decade and until this came out, I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather have other than maybe a 92 centurion with more rounds. Now that this has become easier to find at my local gun store, my beretta will soon be retired and sent to live in the nightstand as a full-time bedroom gun with recover grips and a light. The weight is just too much to deal with when there is something out there with this nice of a trigger and the ability to shoot dang near anything I can find for the cost of a few parts.

Right there with you my friend. I bought a 9mm Compact several months ago and it is my go to carry gun now. I bought a P250 subcompact frame and a 12 round magazine for it and I can go with a shorter grip for a little better concealment if I so desire. On that note, I wouldn’t waste my money on the subcompact P320 pistol in the press release. Buy the Compact/Carry and then get the subcompact frame and magazine. You get the shorter grip, but maintain the longer barrel and sight radius, which creates no problems for IWB carry in my opinion.

hideous is relative. I agree for the most part with your assessment. If it’s reliable and accurate who cares what it looks like. That said p320 is waaaaaay better looking than a glock but about even in looks with a fullsize M&p

10/10 would stuff in my pants and lug around for extended periods of time, something about a Sig 9mm subcompact is just singing my favorite song. Love love LOVE to get a chance to see how it feels and see how that trigger feels/works with some live ammo behind it. Maybe I can convince my wife on a specific glorious birthday present, I however havent gotten to shoot a standard p230 yet so maybe im a little too excited.

Definitely not going to even consider retiring the highly proven and well regarded G30 for this. The P320 has a lot to prove first. If it’s thinner and proves reliable, then I’ll look at it. Until then…I’ll stick with my Glocks.

I’ve carried the G30SF for 10 years now 7 days a week 325 days a year. It’s a part of me. I don’t remember the last time it’s ever failed or hasnt been dead on target. I’d love to have the sig compact but range toy only. I can’t ever see replacing my G30.

I would recommend just buying a subcompact frame and a 12 round magazine. You get the same grip as above, but you retain a longer sight radius and barrel. It’s only .3″ longer and maybe a couple ounces heavier than the dedicated subcompact slide. The longer slide is a non-issue for IWB carry. This is what I did and it works beautifully, even though I am using a P250 subcompact frame. It is now my daily carry gun. Be forewarned, it did cost me $100 because the shipping was ridiculous from the one retailer that had the frame in stock and because the SIG magazines are just stupid expensive. However, that is still a lot cheaper than buying the subcompact gun at $550.

The Sig Compact .45 is the same size as my Kimber Pro Carry, and weighs about the same too. Makes me wonder how big Sig’s Carry version is. The competition in the “compact” or subcompact category is smaller and lighter (and therefore more easily concealable) even if the offerings do not have the same capacity (e.g. the Springfield XDS). Since the market is really tilting towards CCW, I have to wonder about Sig’s choices in this regard.
The subcompact 9 seems a bit porky compared to the sub-20 oz. competition. Its major plus is the modularity, but its price, even after discounts, is several hundreds higher.

First off, the compact and the carry are the same size frame. The .45 ACP P320 will eventually be available in a full size frame and a compact/carry frame. They can’t make it a more compact or lighter pistol because it is part of the P320 modular family which is not single stack. For people that carry double stack (and there are still a lot of them) that fancy a .45, this will win some hearts.

The subcompact 9mm is in a similar size class to the M&P9c, the Springfield XD subcompacts, etc. Street prices are $550 and less, so not hundreds more than the competition. In fact, that price point is fairly in-line with the competition.

The stuff about bore axis is just regurgitating marketing material. It has very little bearing when it is designed into the ergonomics of a pistol. In fact, there are plenty of reports of folks beating their all-time bests in timed drills when shooting the P320 or VP9 for the very first time. And timed drills are the only objective way to determine if the higher bore axis is indeed having an effect. “Feel” is completely subjective.

Some manufacturers that have a low bore axis as part of their design (along with a weird grip angle and blocky grips) will tout it because that is what they have. Kind of like Ford touting their “Eco Boost” engine because they have it and Dodge doesn’t. It doesn’t mean that an Eco Boost is better or even in the same class as a Cummins Turbo Diesel, for example. They’re just different designs that will both work well in a half-ton truck that was designed around them.

This new Sig P320 (and a few other designs like the VP9 and PPQ) are simply more advanced, updated and refined versions of Glock’s 35 year-old design. They have superior ergonomics, superior triggers and superior sights right out of the box and cost about the same or a little less. Kind of like comparing anything else that are updates of old designs: Apples to oranges.

I believe that the overall length and height listed above for the P320 .45 cal compact are wrong. The barrel length and sight radius are correct, but the length and height listed are those for the full-size version. A 5.8″ sight radius on a pistol with 8″ of overall length does not sound right. Perhaps someone can confirm this.

I’ve seen some inaccurate postings. The old Sig website is wrong. The newest SigEvolution website is correct.
In .40 cal, the Fullsize has a 4.6″ barrel and a 14-rd mag; the Carry had a 3.9″ barrel and a 14-rd mag; the Compact has a 3.9″ barrel and a 13-rd mag.
Thus, the Carry has the barrel of a Compact, but the mag cap of a Fullsize.